Planes, Michigan, and Corsairs! Oh My!

Every once in a while, you come across a situation that is truly breathtaking, and totally surreal.  I could not believe this happened to me today.  Today, I decided to take a plane from KYIP to KJXN, pick a friend up, then fly us both to KHYX (Saginaw).  It was a nice IFR day, and I was in and out of the clouds for both legs of the flight.  I ended up picking up a visual approach at KHYX, and began my approach.  Not long after I entered the pattern, I heard "Corsair 179PT 8 miles North inbound landing 27 Saginaw County."  I really didn't give it much thought after that.  I continued to hear his calls in the pattern as I touched down.  After landing, I looked over and saw the airplane on the downwind.  I just stared for a few seconds.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I could make out the long nose and unique rear stabilizer of what looked like an F4U Corsair.  I passed it off as visual illusion and went to taxi and tie down.  

Just after locking up my trusty 172, I looked up to see the aircraft I was looking at land, and was completely taken aback.  It was an F4U Corsair!  I couldn't believe my eyes!  What were the odds that I fly into a middle of nowhere airport, and right behind me, on that same day, someone flies in a World War II legendary warbird!?  I promptly walked up to the pilot as he hopped out of his aircraft and asked him if he wouldn't mind me looking over his aircraft.  He said he didn't mind at all, and then he left into a building.  I never did figure out why he was there.  Admittedly, I was curious, but I was too busy taking pictures, and just generally drooling over this magnificent piece of machinery.  

I touched her, ran my hands over her wings, and felt her from tail to nose.  She was amazing, and I felt like I could feel how alive she was.  

Every once in a while, something truly amazing happens, and you are there to witness it.  This was one of those days.